On the mass density distribution of the inner galaxy

Based on current 2.4-micron observations of the Galaxy the author has proposed a specific model for the bulge component. This model is a concentric spheroid with an axial ratio of approximately 0.5. A constant mass-to-luminosity ratio M/Lsub(V) approximately 7.6 is assumed, which yields the relevant rotational velocity in the inner region; the absolute velocity is normalized to 250 km s-1. This value of M/Lsub(V) is likely to meet with giant-rich synthetic models for the nuclear bulge of M31. (Auth.)